Fair 61°
Tag:

Gift Cards

Business
Holiday Spending To Drop For First Time In Five Years, Survey Expects Holiday Spending To Drop For First Time In Five Years, Survey Expects
Holiday Spending To Drop For First Time In Five Years, Survey Expects Holiday shoppers are expected to spend less in 2025, marking the first decline since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new survey. PricewaterhouseCoopers released its 2025 Holiday Outlook on Wednesday, Sept. 3. The financial firm found that Americans plan to spend an average of $1,552 over the holidays, down 5% from 2024. Gift budgets are taking the biggest hit, dropping 11% to $721, as consumers pull back on shopping amid President Donald Trump's widespread tariffs. "People are going to keep shopping, but with continuing concerns about tariffs and elevated prices (especially on electr…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Business
Popular Restaurant Closing After 23 Years In Region: 'It’s Been Our Pleasure To Serve You' Popular Restaurant Closing After 23 Years In Region: 'It’s Been Our Pleasure To Serve You'
Popular Restaurant Closing After 23 Years In Region: 'It’s Been Our Pleasure To Serve You' A neighborhood favorite in Saratoga County is saying goodbye after 23 years of serving comforting meals and lasting friendships. Abeel’s Restaurant, a family-run spot in Ballston Spa known for its warm atmosphere and elevated comfort food, will officially close its doors on Tuesday, Sept. 30, owners Tony and Julie Abeel announced in a heartfelt message to customers on Facebook. “After 27 wonderful years in business, we’ve made the heartfelt decision to retire,” the post read. “It’s time for us to begin a new chapter and enjoy more time with our families and friends.” Tony and Julie have op…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Business
Major Home Goods Chain Declares Bankruptcy, Blames Trump Tariffs: See List Of Closing NY Stores Major Home Goods Chain Declares Bankruptcy, Blames Trump Tariffs: See List Of Closing NY Stores
Major Home Goods Chain Declares Bankruptcy, Blames Trump Tariffs: See List Of Closing NY Stores A popular home goods retailer is declaring bankruptcy, citing President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs and a significant drop in consumer spending. At Home has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the Dallas-area company announced on Monday, June 16. The retailer said it reached a deal with lenders to eliminate nearly $2 billion in debt and receive a $200 million capital infusion. The move will allow At Home to continue operating during the court-supervised restructuring process. "We are continuing to offer the home furnishing pairings that customers expect to find at our store…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
$64K In Gift Cards Stolen From ShopRite By Former Employee From Fishkill: Police $64K In Gift Cards Stolen From ShopRite By Former Employee From Fishkill: Police
$64K In Gift Cards Stolen From ShopRite By Former Employee From Fishkill: Police A former ShopRite employee from Dutchess County has been charged after allegedly stealing $64,100 worth of gift cards from a Westchester store, police announced. Laura Picozzi, 33, of Fishkill, was taken into custody on Thursday, Jan. 30, following an investigation by Croton-on-Hudson Police into the theft of 151 gift cards from the ShopRite located at 460 South Riverside Ave., the department announced on Monday, March 3.  According to authorities, ShopRite loss prevention officers first alerted police to the theft in January. After reviewing the case, detectives identified Picozzi—a f…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
News
Firefighter Loses Home In Hudson Valley Blaze: Department Asks For Help From Community Firefighter Loses Home In Hudson Valley Blaze: Department Asks For Help From Community
Firefighter Loses Home In Hudson Valley Blaze: Department Asks For Help From Community A Putnam County community is coming together to support a local firefighter and his family after their home was destroyed in a tragic fire.  The blaze occurred in Putnam Valley on Monday, Feb. 10, at 165 Peekskill Hollow Rd., and destroyed a home belonging to Fire Police Officer Juan Garcia and his family, Putnam Valley Volunteer Fire Department President James Apostolico said on Tuesday, Feb. 11.  In an official statement, Apostolico thanked residents for their kindness and generosity during this difficult time. "We are deeply touched by the outpouring of support from …

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Phone Scam Involving Fake Jury Summons Targets Residents In Area Near Putnam County Phone Scam Involving Fake Jury Summons Targets Residents In Area Near Putnam County
Phone Scam Involving Fake Jury Summons Targets Residents In Area Near Putnam County Authorities are warning Hudson Valley residents about a phone scam in which callers impersonate sheriff’s office personnel and demand payment via gift cards.  The scam has been reported in Putnam County, the county's Sheriff's Office announced on Friday, Nov. 22. According to authorities, the caller claims to be “Sergeant Cook” from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and falsely states that the recipient failed to respond to a jury summons. The scammer then threatens that a warrant will be issued for the recipient’s arrest unless they pay using gift cards. The Sheriff’s Office emphasi…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
News
Superintendent, Security Specialist Stole From Westchester School District: DA Superintendent, Security Specialist Stole From Westchester School District: DA
Superintendent, Security Specialist Stole From Westchester School District: DA A former superintendent and security system specialist face corruption charges after allegedly stealing thousands from the Westchester school district they served and using the funds to buy luxury items for themselves, officials announced. Former Greenburgh-Graham Union Free School District Superintendent Oliver Levy, age 55, and the district's former security specialist, Surendra Kumar, age 47, were both arrested and arraigned on Thursday, May 30 in connection with the scheme, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office and New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli ann…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
News
Scammers Posing As Well-Known Businesses, Agencies: Here's What To Know, Feds Say Scammers Posing As Well-Known Businesses, Agencies: Here's What To Know, Feds Say
Scammers Posing As Well-Known Businesses, Agencies: Here's What To Know, Feds Say Federal authorities are sounding the alarm over scams that impersonate well-known businesses and government agencies.  In 2023, data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alone show more than 330,000 reports of business impersonation scams and nearly 160,000 reports of government impersonation scams. That amounts to nearly half the frauds reported directly to the agency, the FTC said. Combined, reported losses to these impersonation scams topped $1.1 billion for the year, more than three times what consumers reported in 2020. Reports show an increasingly blurred line between busine…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi